When the news broke that Home And Away was up for a whopping six TV WEEK Logie Awards, it wasn’t just the talented actors who were thrilled.
The entire cast and crew who bring Summer Bay to life were invigorated. After a challenging couple of years adapting to filming under COVID protocols, the nominations were just the tonic the hardworking team needed.
Home And Away has been on our screens since 1988. Since then, they’ve worked tirelessly to create 35 seasons – and counting!
Ada is nominated for Most Popular Actress at the 2022 TV WEEK Logies.
(Image: TV WEEK)But even though we’ve come to know the characters and Summer Bay intimately, Australia certainly isn’t tiring of the long-running drama. The proof is in the Logie-flavoured pudding.
“We have had such a big two years,” Ada Nicodemou, 45, who has played Leah Patterson since 2000, tells TV WEEK.
“To keep on filming through COVID has been really tough, but we’ve done it, and I think the storylines and the writing has been amazing. It’s nice that all our hard work has paid off.”
For Ada, being nominated for a TV WEEK Silver Logie For Most Popular Actress is an unexpected honour.
To find out how to vote in the 2022 TV WEEK Logies, click here.
“It’s nice that all our hard work has paid off.”
(Image: TV WEEK)“I was very surprised,” she admits. “I know everyone is meant to say that, but I promise I actually was!”
While it’s not the mum-of-ones first nomination, it feels more special than ever to be nominated for a character she’s been playing on screen for more than 20 years.
“I’m really excited about it and I’m not going to lie – I’d love to have a Logie,” she says.
“I love Leah and love playing her. I love where she’s gone over the last few years. She’s happy, she’s in a great relationship and there are a lot of beautiful, positive storylines. It’s amazing that Leah resonates with a lot of people too.”
Ada’s nine-year-old son Johnas is singing her praises to anyone who will listen.
(Image: Instagram)Reading through the impressive nominees in her category, Ada isn’t putting her hard-earned money on a win.
However, there’s one person who is absolutely certain she’ll take home the big prize: her nine-year-old son Johnas, who is singing her praises to anyone who will listen.
“He was at a friend’s house this morning, and apparently was telling them about the nomination, saying, ‘Well, my mum is gonna win because she’s the best actor on TV,'” she says with a giggle. “Clearly, he’s my biggest fan.”
Ada isn’t the only H&A star up for their own award, and she can’t help but enthuse about the beloved colleagues who are being recognised for their talent.
H&A legend Ray Meagher, who Ada refers to as “her second dad”, has been nominated for the TV WEEK Gold Logie Award For Most Popular Personality On Australian Television.
Newcomer Matt Evans is up for Most Popular New Talent, and Sophie Dillman has also been nominated alongside Ada for a TV WEEK Silver Logie.
Although Ada and Sophie are in the same category, there’s no competitiveness between them.
“There’s no cheeky rivalry,” she laughs at TV WEEK‘s suggestion. “I think it’s lovely! It’s great for Soph, and a testament to the show to have two of us in a prestigious category.”
To see the full list of 2022 TV WEEK Logie Awards nominees, click here.
“There’s no cheeky rivalry,” Sophie says of her and Ada’s nominations.
(Image: TV WEEK)Sophie has been winning fans as vivacious blonde Ziggy Astoni since she joined the cast in 2017.
“I’m so honoured,” she tells TV WEEK of her nomination, her second since she was cast in the drama.
“For the past couple of years, our industry has worked so hard, and it’s been so tough for everyone, but it’s great to be able to come together and celebrate that hard work, and Australian television, and all the great people in it.”
Speaking of why she thinks Ziggy has struck such a chord with fans, the 28-year-old says simply, “She’s just really cool! She has a lot of things I admire about her that I employ in everyday life.
Sophie has been winning fans as vivacious blonde Ziggy Astoni since she joined the cast in 2017.
(Image: Seven)“I do feel like I play Ziggy more than Sophie, which is kind of fun, but it means I’m not as cool: she surfs, she fixes cars, she eats pizza three times a day. Everyone should be more like her.”
Adding to her identity crisis, Sophie says that when people come up to her in the street, they always call her Ziggy.
“Some actors get offended by that, but I love it,” she says. “I answer to Ziggy faster than I do Sophie now.”
Sophie’s nomination – and that of H&A for Most Popular Drama Program – was made more poignant by the cancellation of another iconic drama, Neighbours, with Sophie revealing everyone on set is “absolutely devastated” for the Melbourne-based cast and crew.
“I answer to Ziggy faster than I do Sophie now.”
(Image: TV WEEK)“It’s heartbreaking that it has to come to an end,” she says.
“It’s not only an amazing training ground, but a piece of Australian history. I hope everyone there is taking in everything they can, while they can, and that they know we love them.”
The star is also quick to acknowledge that she doesn’t know when her time on Summer Bay could be up either.
She says actors never really get a say in when their character “just isn’t there anymore” and is just relishing every moment she has on set.
“I’ve been so fortunate to be there so long,” she says. “Everyone is so generous and kind.”
Sophie is relishing every moment she has on set.
(Image: Instagram)She singles out Ray Meagher as a great mentor and “the sweetest man you will ever meet.”
“I’ll be so fortunate to stay there – but if that’s not my path, then I’d like to continue to act – that’s the hope.”
Sophie is also looking positively to the future in terms of her health, with the actress currently “managing OK” after being diagnosed with endometriosis when she was 21.
“I still have really bad days,” she says. “Unfortunately, chronic illness is kind of boring – there’s not a lot of resolve.
Sometimes it improves, then it gets worse and you have to have more surgeries, but I’m currently managing OK, which is great. I feel reasonably good – I’m just taking it day to day.”
